It is amazing to think that our little group has grown so quickly. Our Facebook site now includes almost 1500 members. It is good to know that you have all found us. There are incredible children who are being remembered on the site. All of you who love these children are very important. Please know that you will always have a voice here. We understand and we walk the same path. Thank you for your compassion and for the constant support you provide. Together, we will help each other heal!

We will soon be adding a new affiliate location in Tucson, AZ to the 14 that already exist throughout the US and Canada. We are including a list of these affiliates at the end of this newsletter. Also, please visit the groups page of our website, www.helpingparentsheal.info, for more information.

We are happy to share this newsletter with you which will provide you with helpful information and resources. More importantly, it is a space that will allow us to share our children. They will always be a huge part of our lives and we love remembering them!

-Elizabeth Boisson, Co-Founder, Helping Parents Heal

The Affiliate Corner featuring Patti May, mother of Adam and affiliate leader of our Ottawa group

Here in Ottawa, Canada Helping Parents Heal has been exactly what we have been looking for. We feel so fortunate to have found this group of amazing parents. Our greatest common bond that brings us together is our awareness of our ongoing connection with our departed children.

We gather the first Sunday of the month around the cozy fireplace in the showroom of our family dealership. In blizzards and snowy weather, some drive over an hour to get here. One of our parents is a baker and brings delicious baking, we get coffee and hot chocolate and our warm loving stories and sharing about our precious children begins.

We often start with amazing stories of signs. Lately it’s been brilliant messages on license plates. One mom's son was an airline pilot and she saw a license plate that had his name and 747 which was the plane he flew. She thought she didn't get signs and wondered if this could possibly be a sign. Our jaws dropped as we all agreed it seemed like a great one to us. We've had so many extraordinary stories. I see Adam my son's name on license plates and have to be careful driving I get so distracted looking for signs. While we hear so many stories there may be times we haven't anything to share and wonder why we haven't had a sign. Feeling almost desperate to have one, something, any kind of sign...then flash out of the blue it happens. Usually it’s completely unexpected, a sign, a miracle "the sign" we've been hoping for. We often hear parents say I couldn't wait for our next HPH meeting to share the most amazing sign from my child with everyone in our group.

Some of the greatest validations of our children's visits to us are through our mediumship messages. Many of these readings have been life changing such as the ones two of our dear parents who had the most beautiful reading with the Long Island Medium in Ottawa. Theresa Caputo brought through their beautiful children so lovingly (tears, smiles and laughter) yes often so funny - and yes this was life changing for them and for those of us who witnessed it. Another amazing phenomenon that we have begun to notice in our group is mediumship readings with our children coming through other parents readings out of the blue together with their child who they have not met while on the earth. There was a powerful reading last summer, one of our parent's son brought through the son of another parent in our group (they didn't know each other on earth) it was a deeply moving a loving accurate reading. I've seen this a few times myself when my son Adam has come through other readings with their son and the parents didn't know Adam they only knew me after I lost him.

Many of our stories are so extraordinary and it is such a comfort and sometimes a relief to be able to share with other parents and know others have their unexplainable connections and experiences with their amazing children too. We help each other feel understood and supported in our group and this helps us to know these are truly visits from our children. This always leaves us with no doubt they are still very much with us. So heartwarming we are all connected far more deeply than we can ever begin to understand.

As our group gathering comes to an end we spend time looking through our full library of afterlife, mediumship, near death, ADC and spiritual books, DVD's, CD's and videos. We hug and say goodbye knowing for sure our children are very much with us and we leave with a little sparkle in our eye and a spring in our step as we look for our signs from our children and look forward to sharing at our next Helping Parents Heal meeting.

Patti May - Helping Parents Heal - Ottawa, Canada

Affiliate Groups and their Facilitators (by alphabetical order):

Christine Volpe-Tom’s Creek NJ
email: cvolpe68@gmail.com
After the passing of her 17 year old son, James, due to a vehicle accident Christine has spent countless hours helping other bereaved parents. She is devoted to help other parents find tools to help them in their grief. Christine and Jennifer are co-hosts for Tom’s River.

Elizabeth Boisson-Scottsdale, AZ
email: evboisson@yahoo.com
Since the passing of her son Morgan in October, 2009 due to acute altitude sickness on a student trip to the Base Camp of Mount Everest in Tibet, Elizabeth has held monthly parent meetings at the Logos Center in Scottsdale, AZ, first founding "Parents United in Loss" and then partnering with Mark Ireland two years later to co-found "Helping Parents Heal." She also administers the Facebook site.

Glenda Pearson-Granger, IN
email: glendia456@aol.com
Glenda is a Reiki Master, Munay Ki practitioner, intuitive guide, Stephen's Minister, author and Certified Grief Recovery Method Specialist. Reflected in her book, "But Should The Angels Call For Him", she speaks of her personal loss through the death of her only child, Chad, and believes there is healing for everyone.

Janice Crowder-Torrez-Tucson, AZ
email: jcrowdertorrez@gmail.com
Wanting to honor her son’s spirit, courage, and the many gifts he left behind, Janice discovered Helping Parents Heal in Scottsdale, AZ. Opening the door for other parents to grieve their loss, while offering support to small groups, Janice decided to start a chapter in Tucson where she resides and her son Anthony, aged 31, took his life. Janice is a MSN and certified in Meditation.

Jennifer Amato Tom’s Creek, NJ
email: jennifer0702@optonline.net
After the passing of Jennifer's 2 year old son Joey, Jennifer found support from other bereaved parents. She is now finding healing in helping other bereaved parents learn to cope with their loss. Jennifer and Christine are co-hosts for Tom’s River.

Jessalyn Nas- Sonoma County, CA
email: pwrolove@sonic.net
Jessalyn Nash, M.A. has facilitated groups for over 25 years and is involved in the restorative justice movement. After her beloved 21-year-old son, Trystan passed away, Jessalyn has dedicated herself to helping other grieving parents.

Julia LaJoie-Washington DC
email: JALAJMD@gmail.com
I joined Helping Parents Heal in April of 2012 when I met Mark Ireland, Anne Puryear and Elizabeth Boisson at a conference in Phoenix, AZ on After Death Communication. There were many parents like myself who had lost a child and had discovered the healing that comes from ADC and other forms of spiritual growth. I am eager to join hands and hearts with other parents in the Baltimore - Washington area to grow our network and support each other in healing and spiritual growth.

Kristin Brown-Sanders Pensacola, FL
email: kristinsanders@mcshi.com
Kristen Brown-Sanders started The Next Step group in FL in January 2010 after her beloved daughter Sarah transitioned due to a distracted driver. The Next Step linked in with Helping Parents Heal in 2012.

Laura Wilmot-Fall’s Church, VA
email: laurawilmot@gmail.com
A retired federal HR Director, Laura taught Mexican Folk dance to children and adults and performed Mariachi music with her family for several years. She “connects up” to her son through meditation and prayer.

Lori Fina Jennings-Columbus, OH
email: lafj1@hotmail.com
Lori lives in Columbus, OH. She is married & has a daughter with Down Syndrome. She is the author of Liam's Lessons & a Holistic Coach. Her hobbies are swimming, reading & Isha Yoga.

Nancy Courtmanche-Eureka, CA
email: nancycougar@gmail.com
The loss of my son Robb, 29, has made me painfully aware of the need for parents to have a group setting that is safe and confidential. Healing occurs. Out of my loss I dedicated myself to service for others in volunteer Hospice patient care and grief support, as a Hospital Chaplain, and healing work. This has prepared me to lead an HPH group now.

Patti May- Ottowa, Ontario
email: pattimay@rogers.com
I am a mother of 3 wonderful children, married 30 years to their father.I lost my son Adam in 2006 in a tragic auto accident. Since losing my son I have had afterlife signs that have helped me. I began to search for like-minded parents to share our experiences. I came across the wonderful group Helping Parents Heal and asked if I could start a group here in Canada.

Sheri Perl-New York, NY
email: sheriperil@gmail.com
Sheri Perl Migdol is a spiritual healer, an interfaith minister, an author, lecturer and mother of 3 children, one deceased. Sheri is the founder of The Prayer Registry, a free service for all bereaved parents. www.sheriperl.com.

Sheryl Hill-Minneapolis, Minnesota
email: sheryl.hill@me.com
Tyler, my beautiful sixteen year old son, died a preventable death on a People to People Student Ambassador Trip to Japan in 2007. My most important achievements are being a mother, a wife, nonprofit endeavors with the Clear Cause Foundation (to keep American children and students safe on foreign soil) and perhaps my work as an author. I did not lose the ones I love who have passed. I know where they are.

Tina Babloski-Anderson Citrus County FL
email: helpingparentsheal@yahoo.com
Tina Babloski-Anderson is a grieving mother that has learned to laugh again since the loss of her son Paul G. Babloski on October 1st, 2009. Her efforts to find comfort have led her on a journey that has not only helped to heal herself, but to bring smiles on the faces of other grieving parents. Tina said, "There is no one here in Citrus County, Florida that could understand the loss of a child, except for another parent that has experienced the same pain. So, we formed a group that supports and celebrates each other’s children. We find that by supporting each other, we can learn to laugh again.

Visit us on FACEBOOK -Parents United in Loss, aka Helping Parents Heal

OTTAWA
Please join Patti May for the monthly meeting of our Ottawa Affiliate Helping Parents Heal on February 2nd! To RSVP, please sign up on the events page. You can read more about Patti and her meetings in this issue!SCOTTSDALE
Please join Ernie and Kristine Jackson for a wonderful meeting of Helping Parents Heal - Scottsdale on February 16th from 3-5 pm at the Logos Center. Ernie will be discussing his amazing son Quinton through his book, 'Quinton's Messages'. Please join us if you are in the area, and RSVP on the events page. Please see a presentation of Ernie and Kristine below. Hope to see you there! TOM'S RIVERPlease join Christine Corallo Volpe and Jennifer Shulman Amato for the monthly meeting of Helping Parents Heal New Jersey.The meeting will be held at Healing Arts 511 Dover Road. Joanne Kelleher will be talking about Past Life Experiences and guiding us through a gentle Past Life Meditation.

PENSACOLA
Please join Kristen Brown-Sanders for the February meeting of Helping Parents Heal - Pensacola, FL. Kristen meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. If you would like to join her, please email at: kristensanders@mchsi.com

NEW FACEBOOK SITE!Anne Puryear, a Founding Member of Helping Parents Heal, a co-founder of the Logos Center and mother of Stephen and Beethoven has started a wonderful new Facebook group for grieving pet owners. Please join her site, Helping Pet Lovers Heal, if you have lost a cherished pet.

Upcoming Conferences in Scottsdale:
The Real Double D's of Life Death and Dying Conference presented by the Arizona Holistic Chamber of Commerce.
February 21-22 204 at the Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale Arizona.
The co-founder of Helping Parents Heal, Mark Ireland, will be a featured speaker at this wonderful conference.
Please go to the link below to learn more about registration and activities: The Double D's of Life or contact Janet Gangl at info@azholisticchamber.com

Would you like to share a story of validation or healing with other Parents?

We are all able to heal when we share personal stories about our children with others. Moreover, everyone benefits from validations that we receive from our children. We love to hear about them! If you have a story that you would like to share about your child, please let us know and we will include it in a future newsletter. Please send it to Elizabeth Boisson at evboisson@yahoo.com (Due to space limitations, please \be sure it is no longer than 1/2 page.)

Presentation of Ernie and Kristine Jackson, guests at the February meeting of Helping Parents Heal in Scottsdale-

The Jackson family was a typical American family. Ernie seemingly working all the time, coming home tired and distracted. Kristine working too to help ends meet and have some spending money, but much more involved in raising their wonderful children, Cheyanne and Quinton. Ernie knew he was losing his family, drifting further away from them and it drove him crazy. He kept trying over the years to be more involved, but was only able to do so on their annual vacations. When he reached a point of looking for a sign, being ready to accept help from above, the unthinkable happened, their son Quinton was gone in the blink of an eye.

Ernie and Kristine are one of us, this group of parents who have lost children. And like you, there is sadness, despair and regret. Things will never be normal again as we all live a new normal, but there is something more too! Oh yes, there is so much more! While Kristine grieved fully and hard with months of tears and sadness, Ernie grieved differently. His tears and sadness were tempered with new found knowledge that provided a blessing of sorts; a knowledge that there is more to us, so much more to all of us. And Ernie began to share, immediately.

Talk about a dichotomy, a divine dichotomy; divine and awful dichotomy, indeed. Within thirty-six hours of their son “dying”, Ernie lay in bed alone feeling his had being held lovingly. Five days after Quinton “died”, they got word that “he was fine”! That summer Ernie saw Quinton in his room, heard Quinton call to him one morning “Dad”! And Quinton came to him in an amazing vision. Kristine had visits too, many of them and these visits let us know that our son isn’t dead, he still is! And now we go down the rabbit hole. How far to you want to go?

Our mission is to help parents who have lost children, giving them support and resources to aid in the healing process. We will go a step beyond other groups by allowing the open discussion of spiritual experiences and evidence for the afterlife, but in a non-dogmatic way. In other words, we will welcome everyone regardless of their religious (or non-religious) background and allow for a very open type of dialog.